I've been a fan of Perzonal War since the late 90s. At the time their version of modern thrash was something rather uncommon. I think a handful of bands were doing it like Forte, Dearly Beheaded and Forbidden. The group has come a long way since their 1998 debut "The Inside". The band have gone through a few line-up changes and labels but are back and better than ever for record number seven.

"Captive Breeding" comes by way of Metalville, a new and compact label that has a dozen or more bands right now. I'm really impressed with the lineup of Metalville's acts, highlights being Perzonal War, Drone, Astral Doors and Sky Of Rage thus far. The recording stays in-house as usual and thus far most of the band's touring has been confined to their native Germany.

Longtime fans should really like the progression and development made over the group's career, all culminating in what could be their best release to date with "Captive Breeding". The group stays firmly rooted in modern thrash on scorchers like "Termination" and "Tongues Of Cleavage" (really?), rhythm strings from Metti Zimmerman consistently keeping the pace at breakneck speed. Still I can hear everything from Pantera to Machine Head in the guitar tone, those "Drag The Waters" pick-ups are all over the record. Still it is songs like "The Last Day" and "Candor Hurts" where Zimmerman shows off his melodic voice, both songs sounding as if Mustasch and Paradise Lost were entangled in some sort of commercially accessible number. The overall theme of the writing is social recourse from the slow division of the globe into two factions, perhaps one methodically eating the other.

This Perzonal War is a far different entity than those late 90s youngsters. At one time Perzonal War (known then as Personal War) was more Metallica than Metallica. Still the band has created that firm thrash base from which to grow and evolve. I think the influx of melody and maturity can be found circa 2003 with "Different But The Same" however I think the group are firmly on target with this new album. "Captive Breeding" scores a big win with the modern thrash elements yet musically and vocally evolving to become a different band for 2012. This is mandatory listening for what is right with the world in what has now become a survival of the fittest in metal's grand fifth decade.

About this Writer:Eric Compton // Eric Compton lives in the most haunted city in the world, St. Augustine, Florida with his family and two yorkies. He has served as senior editor for MaximumMetal.com for nearly 10 years and is the author of the heavy metal book series--Denim & Letters. His reviews, interviews and social commentary has been featured on websites like Brave Words, Blabbermouth, Metal Temple, Metal Rules, Ultimate Metal, Metal Maniacs and Wikipedia.

Maximum Metal Rating Legend - Click for Full Details

5

Excellent - Buy it and say a prayer to the metal gods
that you were tuned on to this masterpiece. A classic.

4-4.5

Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a
clunker or a lacking somewhere to keep it from perfection. You won't feel bad about
dropping some bones on these.

3.5

Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some
filler. This is the OK range where you'd search for the record on sale or used.

3

Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a
half/half ratio. Could show skills but be dull overall. Redeeming qualities for indy bands
are effort and passion. Majors that don't try or suck outright end up here.

2-2.5

Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
There is much better metal out there.

1-1.5

Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.

0

Terrible or an otherwise waste of your life and time.

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